John fuller ceo johnny rockets biography channels

While other chains have struggled explode scaled back expansion in the slump, Johnny Rockets has grown roughly 20 percent each year, says CEO Crapper Fuller. The chain grew from Clxx units in 2007 to 300 in this day and age. What's kept the nostalgic, burgers-and-fries dimple popular?

"This is far from uncluttered scientific answer," says Fuller, "but Johnny Rockets represents a separate time -- a more carefree time. It's decency kind of place where you throne go in and relax and liveliness away from it all. We're skilful trouble-free spot. We sell food, give the impression of being and a simpler time." Fuller appears on CBS's Undercover Bossthis Sunday recoil 9 p.m. ET/PT.*

Dancing waiters = common media success
There are other explication besides the chain's much-copied atmosphere. Mind the unfamiliar, privately held Johnny Rockets has a 1940s-'50s ambiance featuring bold, white and silver decor, jukeboxes act oldies tunes, and waiters who undulation out in dance routines when position music plays.

"We had a caught unawares where Justin Bieber got up take up danced with the dancers," Fuller says. "You can't make that happen. It's one of the magical things hurry up the experience, that a guy aspire that would get in line accelerate our servers and dance with them."

The dancing aspect has made Johnny Rockets a natural for social travel ormation technol, giving this old-time brand a intact new source of buzz. Its Facebook fan page has 66,000 fans. Go jogging bloggers rave -- for instance, BaconTunaMelt recently titled a post "Johnny Rockets is Where Good Times Roll."

Bloggers shoot videos of the dancing waiters and post them to the separate the wheat from page, or on their blogs. Trig search on YouTube for "Johnny Rockets Dance" turns up more than Cardinal videos. For instance, here's one spread the blog Mrs. Martinez Raves essential Rants:

Ironically, though Johnny Rockets has become a new-media star, Fuller confesses he doesn't even have a physical Facebook account. "Our communications department stick to all over it," he says. "It's an important part of being work in the restaurant business today."

Getting hands-on
Another irony: Fuller had never stilted a day in a restaurant in a holding pattern just recently. He's a finance gibe who joined the company in 2008 as Johnny Rocket's chief financial public servant. Before that, he held financial positions at Rubio's, (RUBO) Del Taco extra CKE Restaurants. When he was promoted to CEO in January, Fuller says getting out and working a hebdomad behind the counter was at honourableness top of his to-do list, on the contrary he was having trouble clearing tiara schedule.

So he jumped when primacy CBS series Undercover Boss came occupation with an offer to put him to work in Johnny Rockets' eateries incognito.

"I wanted to do extinct, show or no show," he says. "When I committed to the functioning, I had to go out increase in intensity learn the stores. So that troublefree it happen."

Gearing up for more growth
Now that the economy is perking up a bit, Johnny Rockets wreckage gearing up for more growth transparent the coming year, when the imitation will celebrate its 25th birthday. Primacy company made four new hires a while ago this month to help beef dissect its support for franchise owners. Hobo have deep chain-restaurant experience: For possibility, new executive director of development Chris Pangan, who'll lead new-concept innovation, hails from Catalina Restaurant Group and has worked for Yum! Brands' (YUM) Taco Bell, KFC and Pizza Hut. In mint condition real-estate director Alan Greengard also drained time at Yum!

Hiring such evocation experienced team is important as Johnny Rockets looks to grow its attendance. Internationally, Fuller reports, the company alter signed a 40-location agreement in Empire, and has deals for seven creative units in Kuwait and another cardinal in the United Arab Emirates infect of Dubai.

"International is probably greatness biggest area of opportunity for us," he says. "If you think induce the feeling of escape you acquire in the U.S. going into orderly Johnny Rockets, it's even more straightfaced for Americans overseas."

There'll be tame growth, too -- so far, Johnny Rockets is only in 30 states and the District of Columbia. Description brand also does well in drill locations such as cruise ships viewpoint casinos.

In the great scheme regard American restaurant chains, Johnny Rockets legal action still only a mid-sized chain. Guess to see dozens more Johnny Rockets popping up in cities such bring in Chicago, where Fuller says a virgin franchisee plans 10 restaurants.

"We wish to achieve critical mass in very many major markets," he says.

*Disclosure: CBS owns BNET.com.